Ann Optom Contact Lens.  2021 Jun;20(2):79-83. 10.52725/aocl.2021.20.2.79.

Ocular Toxicity Induced by Topical Antivirals: Clinical Manifestation and Follow-up of 6 Case Series

• Lee JH
• Cho YK

• KMID: 2532544
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52725/aocl.2021.20.2.79

Abstract

Purpose
We report six cases of ocular toxicity following treatment with topical antiviral agents for herpes epithelial keratitis.
Case summary
Among 47 patients with a diagnosis of herpes simplex epithelial keratitis treated between July 1, 2018, and June 10, 2020, five patients treated with 1% trifluridine and one patient treated with 3% acyclovir showed ocular toxicity. These six patients showed repeated aggravation and slow recovery throughout the period of treatment with topical antiviral agents over 1 month. Total duration of treatment was 6.0 ± 1.8 weeks since the additional diagnosis of ocular toxicity due to antivirals in these six patients.
Conclusions
Use of topical antiviral agents for extended periods showed ocular toxicity. In particular, 1% trifluridine showed frequent toxicity in the cornea, conjunctiva, and eyelid, which required special care and attention.

Keyword

Acyclovir; Contact dermatitis; Toxic keratoconjunctivitis; Trifluridine